PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Masahiro Tofune (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Sam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tofune
vs
Sam

180 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Masahiro Tofune!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Daniel Sam!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Alexandre Firmino and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tofune fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sam sprawls well initially but Tofune persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Tofune stands up out of the half guard.

Tofune darts in and clinches Sam up against the cage.

Sam pulls guard effortlessly.
Sam not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tofune would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Sam is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tofune looking to pass the guard.
Tofune controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Tofune drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tofune jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sam keeping full guard, as Tofune tries to pass.
Sam is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tofune ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sam moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tofune decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Tofune seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Sam trying to control here.
Tofune thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sam's head.
Sam trying to control but Tofune postures up.
Still in half guard, Tofune seems content to control.
Sam has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tofune is working away from the top position though.
Tofune is trying to control the action in half guard but Sam is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sam with a lazy takedown attempt

and Tofune counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tofune is breathing heavily.
Sam trying to hold on to Tofune's head to control him but Tofune postures up.
Tofune wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sam keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sam is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tofune's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tofune's back!
Sam wants to control but Tofune is keeping busy.
Sam is trying to stick to Tofune's back but Tofune is turning into Sam. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Sam's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Tofune.
Tofune postures up.
Sam wants to sweep but no luck.
Tofune slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Sam wants to sweep but no luck.

Tofune is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Sam working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tofune doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tofune manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sam is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Sam trying to keep a closed guard but Tofune is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sam tries for a takedown but Tofune circles away easily

and Tofune counters with a shoot takedown. Sam fights it but they end up in guard.
Sam controls Tofune momentarily but Tofune frees himself.
Sam might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Tofune kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Sam working for a triangle but Tofune defends it easily.
Sam keeping full guard, as Tofune tries to pass.
Sam looking to control.
Tofune trying to control the position from guard on top but Sam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tofune won't allow Sam to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Sam with a poor takedown

and Tofune decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sam's guard.
Masahiro Tofune has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Sam.
Tofune wants to pass the guard but Sam is keeping the position.
Tofune slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Sam wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sam controls Tofune momentarily but Tofune frees himself.
Tofune is stalling in the full guard.
Tofune stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sam swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sam wants to sweep here but Tofune controlling him for the moment.

Tofune stands up and waves to Sam to follow him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masahiro Tofune dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sam shoots and misses

and Tofune counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Tofune prevents Sam from improving his position.
Tofune sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Sam is not content to let Tofune control the position.
Tofune missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Tofune decides to stand and escape the position.
Sam tries for a takedown but Tofune circles away easily

and Tofune counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sam's guard now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tofune throwing strikes but missing.
Tofune stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sam swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sam throws his legs up looking for a submission but Tofune uses it to pass to side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tofune decides to stand back up.

Tofune looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sam is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sam pulls Tofune in close to prevent any damage.
Tofune won't allow Sam to sweep him here.
Tofune postures up.
Tofune trying to control the position from guard on top but Sam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sam controls Tofune momentarily but Tofune frees himself.
Tofune trying to control the position from guard on top but Sam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Sam tries for a takedown but Tofune circles away easily

and Tofune counters with a takedown into side control.
Masahiro Tofune has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Sam.
Sam regains half guard.
Sam trying to control but Tofune postures up.
Tofune content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Sam keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Still in half guard, Tofune seems content to control.
Tofune is pressing down on Sam's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sam is holding on for now.
Sam is not content to let Tofune control the position.
Tofune frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Tofune takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tofune looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Sam is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Tofune content just to control the position here.
Sam bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Tofune wants to sweep but no luck.
Sam postures up.
Tofune is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sam can do to turn this around?
Sam wants to control from the top but Tofune keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tofune is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sam is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tofune is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tofune keeping moving, preventing Sam from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sam doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Tofune counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tofune trying to control the position from guard on top but Sam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sam wants to sweep but no luck.
Sam not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tofune forces his way into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sam is trying to control but can't.
Sam tries to get to full guard but Tofune has control of the leg.
Sam trying to control but Tofune postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masahiro Tofune dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Sam tries for a takedown but Tofune circles away easily

and Tofune counters with a takedown into side control.
Sam is trying to improve his position.
Sam is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tofune off and has taken his back!
Sam really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Tofune.
Sam keeps control of the position as Tofune tries to break free.
Sam struggling to keep hold of the position.
Tofune can't escape the position.
Tofune looking very determined here, making life difficult for Sam.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sam keeps control of the position as Tofune tries to break free.

Sam is persistently looking for the submission but Tofune is defending it well.
Sam is not going to allow Tofune to sit and survive in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sam struggling to keep hold of the position.
Sam doesn't have the hooks in and Tofune manages to turn into his guard.
Tofune wants to control from the top but Sam keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tofune keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Sam gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sam keeping moving, preventing Tofune from controlling successfully.
Tofune controlling from the top position.
Sam is trying to keep Tofune in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tofune trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sam seems keen to control Tofune's posture.
Tofune wants to control from the top but Sam keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Tofune drives through and clinches with Sam against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Tofune.
Tofune wants to break free but Sam has control.
Sam is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Tofune jumps guard but Sam stands there with Tofune around his waist. Tofune gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sam drags the fight down to the ground.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sam is on top in guard.
Tofune is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tofune has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Tofune tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Sam is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Tofune is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tofune keeping moving, preventing Sam from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tofune is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sam stands and throws Tofune's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sam is looking to take a break and control but Tofune is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Tofune shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Tofune is stalling in the full guard.
Masahiro Tofune overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sam wants to stand and escape but Tofune is having none of it.
Daniel Sam has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tofune trying to control but Sam is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masahiro Tofune showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tofune has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masahiro Tofune!